Quotes from first hand accounts, people who have seen Chip Ritter perform.

Chip Ritter is a professional drum instructor and performer from Tucson, Arizona USA

All quotes below are factual, unedited, and reprinted with permission.

"You're a  great drummer, keep going, keep it fun!" - Peter Erskine - 2006

"Nobody beats Ritter's dizzying drum solo -- he juggles sticks with Animal enthusiasm

(he of "Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem" fame). Ritter alone is worth the cost of admission "
- Phoenix New Times - phoenixnewtimes.com

"Chip is superb, One of the best drummers I have ever had the pleasure to perform with, great time,

overall vibe, and a joy to watch play!"

- Larry Lee Lerma 2006

(Bassist for The Blues Brothers, James Belushi and The Souleros)

"Chip is truly Incredible....just awesome..." - Josh Freese 2007

"THAT''S ^%$# ing Awesome!!.. I'd better get back to work! Ha hahahaha"

 -Tommy Lee 2006

"An amazing player, and showman, really fun!" - Stephen Perkins 2005

"Chip Ritter is a monster, an incredible drummer" - C.C. Deville - Poison- 2005

"Just Insane Showmanship!, dude I want lessons!,

....dude you're my favorite drummer ever!"

 - Rikki Rocket - 2006

"Ritter is a Chick Webb from Hell! The most incredible drummer I have ever seen, great stuff!" -  Actor/Singer Ron Perlman  2004

"excellent job!  impressive!" - David Letterman 2004

"awesome!... YEAH!" - Paul Schaffer 2004

"Chip is a very talented drummer!"

- Anton Fig 2004

"Buddy Rich reincarnated... with sticks spinning in the air"

- David Small 2004

"the best I have ever seen..

keep it up!"

- Robert Sweet 2004

"bad ass!!!" - Brain Hayes 2004

".. simply put he's great fun to watch, and his technical skills are unsurpassed that's all you can say...." 

 - Steve Martello 

"chip ritters live performances are the most dynamic, intense and entertaining as your going to find on this planet! Not since the big band era when both giants and Gods like Krupa, Webb, Rich and so on roamed wildly upon this Earth with reckless abandon have I witnessed percussive prowess such as this. INCREDIBLE! It is extremely satisfying and refreshing to know that percussionists of this caliber, though few in number, still roam the musical landscapes of this world. I highy recommend to any and all who wish to witness a percussionist who wields his sticks with complete mastery, as if magical weapons from a long past era, to treat themselves to this breath of fresh air. Mr.Ritter my hat goes off to you.You are both exceptionally talented and charismatic on and off stage"

- Nelson Lavernia -Singer Songwriter/BA/MA

Chief Music Director Norwegian Cruise Lines

I WOULD HAVE PAID THREE TIMES THE COVER AND DROVE TO TUCSON TO SEE THAT KIND OF ATTITUDE,DRUMMING,SPIRIT ON STAGE,IT WAS A BREATH OF FRESH AIR. UNFORGETTABLE.THX. JERRY CRIVELLO THE SUREFIRE BAND.  1/3/04.

"I really enjoyed hearing you play at the Benson Blues Festival, as always--aside from the juggling, which is quite amazing and entertaining in and of itself, your drumming is a thing of beauty: fast, fluid, powerful, passionate, musical, and always right on the money. The band sounds better than ever, too. Best of luck with your burgeoning career. In rhythm~ Will C - Drummer /Stephan George October 2003

"Kobe Bryant plays basketball, Chip Ritter plays drums, amazing stuff" - Michael Hummer - Ph8 - Ph8.net

     "Ritter does things that you never thought possible played on the drums" - Tommy Scott - 2003 co-founder-Drummers DOJO

"... utterly fascinating...." - Bobby White Shoes - Big Nick and the Gila Monsters

"Best drumming and stick twirling I've seen in a long time." - Steve Berkowitz -

Producer,  VP of A&R  Columbia, Legacy, and Sony Records 

"...percussion tricks, mugging for the crowd while juggling three drumsticks and keeping the beat.”  

 - Chris Herrington -  Music Critic - Memphis Weekly Flyer

(from the 2003 International Blues Competition)

“That drummer (Chip Ritter) is a Gene Krupa on steroids. It's not often a drum solo goes over with a blues audience, let alone garners a standing ovation.” 

Name: AL Kirkaldy

taken from Alligator Records message board in reference to Long John Hunter/ Bad News Blues Band  Show with Chip Ritter on Drums

“I read the comments and like those who wrote was impressed the
showmanship.  I have been able to see Chip with the BNBB a few times and
was amazed at the Band but especially the drummer.  Being a former
drummer from the 60's, I was most impressed with the crisp clean sounds
that I heard during Tucson's Downtown Saturday Night.  I had the
privilege of shaking his hand and letting him know that I had not seen
or heard anything like him since Ginger Baker of the old Cream band.
The heart of music is the rhythm and this fine man brings all of that to
the table.”

 -Eric Kiesler, Tucson, AZ

 " I had the pleasure of attending the first show of Alligator artist Long John Hunter's current tour at the House Of Blues in Chicago last night. Mr. Hunters band is The Bad News Blues Band who can be found here on mp3.com. I say pleasure because I was blown away by the performance of one Chip  Ritter, the bands sure handed drummer. James Brown would have been pleased to have Ritter  in the JB's during his heyday, Chips style includes tossing sticks, yelling to the crowd and just general mayhem behind the tubs. Nice tight pocket drumming with great accents and fills are complemented by Chips visual show. I don't think biting the cymbals was very musical but it sure got my attention, He belongs in a zoo!"  

- Kevin Paul, Singer and Founder of the Chicago Rhythm Blues Band The StickMen

“…Stick juggling percussion, simply unbelievable…”

Name: Brad Little
 
Date: 13 Mar 2000

“Chip "Sugarbear" Ritter's vaudevillian drum antics, where amazing.”

Name: Sue
 
Date: 25 Feb 2000

“I've seen a lot of shows over the years, but this one is right up there in the top 10. Simply amazing.band refines what it means to cook. .....AND THAT DRUMMER! I don't know what they feed him but I'm going to get some for myself. A real show stopper. It's not often you see repeated drum solos in a blues show, but it worked consistently. You've got yourself an amazing piece of musical poetry there.”

Name: KEVIN STANISLAWSKI
 
Date: 01 Mar 2000

“THE DRUMMER CHIP, WAS REALLY AN AMAZING THRILL TO WATCH.”

Name: Cathy
 
Date: 03 Mar 2000

“And their drummer Chip is quite possibly the most dynamic, exciting performer I've seen on that instrument.”

Name: Grant  Date: 04 Mar 2000

“ I consider it an honor to be able to say I know this Cold Blooded,
Thunderous, Monster who sits high on his Throne Tearing It Up every time he
plays. He's Treacherous, with a proper dynamic mix on the drums blended with
added personality which retards the heart of any human being, Blues fan or
Not.  Just when you think his hands are invisible listen to his
footwork, Totally Unbelievable! Chip Ritter is definitely a living legend. He
expresses joy when he plays, and I know it comes from the people he
entertains;
  It's a cycle, a spiral flow of happiness which keeps
revolving, when it hits you, it’s strong enough to move you. This
confession of wiggling, jumping, simply being wild, and riding on the music
is true for anyone who has witnessed a live performance by Chip Ritter,
drummer of the Bad News Blues Band.” 
                                                     Creig Henry – Professional Calypso Drummer, Dominica

“..I have seen so many bands I couldn't begin to count them all………you are absolutely one of the best drummers I have ever seen IN MY LIFE. Your playing embodies an incredible combination of speed, style, uniqueness and energy that is a joy to watch…”

“The drummer was totally awesome!”

Name: Jim clipperton
 
Date: 01 Mar 2000

“Great show and great band...awesome drummer!” 

Name: Tom Hyslop
 
Date: 10 Apr 2000 

“You have to see the drummer (Chip Ritter) while he plays to believe what he can do , it is an event unto itself. Simply,  WATCH THE MAN PLAY”                                                       -  Peter Gibbs Carnival Ship Fascination Cruise Director         

        "This is an absolute must see, Chip Ritter runs around the bar like a madman drumming the coolest beats known to man on every post and table, rhythms loud as thunder, it's enough to make ya happy to leave deaf." 

                                    – LiveandOnline on Ritter’s Wipeout Video Drum Solo        

“…especially the drummer who at one point played while juggling three

drumsticks-awesome!"

 Name: Arron Wright

“Chip, the drummer, was amazing. I've seen several concerts, and several drummers, but he blew them all away. Not only is he way talented, he is so incredibly fun to watch. We just needed for this to be known. Thanks again for a great show, and we'll look forward to many more . . . Gretchen & Steven Henderson Rockport,   Maine.”                                                                                                                                              Name: GRETCHEN HENDERSON                                                                                           

“Band was great and especially the drummer’s solo (wild).”                                                                       

Name: Barry Hartwig
                  Date: 14 Apr 2000                                                                                                                                                   

“Their drummer Chip is must see, phenomenal.”                                                                                                                    

Name: Lucie Bégin
 
Date: 12 Apr 2000 “The performance of their drummer was absolutely extraordinary! I had a hard time trying to stay on my chair!”                                                                                                                                                                        

Name: Mike Andrews

 
Date: 11 Apr 2000 “The band was knockout! I want to see more of them! The drummer is amazing!”

"Wow! I just got home from seeing the band for my first time in Tucson, AZ and I was absolutely blown away. The band was amazing and even took the time to meet and greet my two friends and I after the performance. Chip was God-like on the set, and I'm anxiously awaiting to see their next local performance."

(posted on Bad News Blues Band Guest book)

Brandon Welch 

 Tucson Az 

Name: Stacey
 
Date: 11 Apr 2000 “We arrived with every anticipation of checking out the Blues scene that Chicago is famous for. We headed out that Friday night on April 7th to a little 'old place called "Buddy Guy's Legends." We stepped in the door just in time to meet Buddy Guy himself and to see the most unbelievable drummer that I have seen to date!”                                                                                                                                             

Name: Larry
 
Date: 09 Apr 2000      “If you get a chance to see their drummer, don't pass it up.”                                               Name: Gene Curtis
 
Date: 09 Apr 2000                  ‘I was super impressed with Chip Ritter, the drummer, and really dug the juggling act he did with his drumsticks!!!”                                                                                                    

Name: Cindy
 
Date: 07 Apr 2000         “The drummer got out from behind the drums and was beating a rhythm on anything that wasn't breathing, he is a wild man!

             "He's a bad m$@#%#^& , stand back and don't get any on ya!" -  "Deacon" from Tucson AZ -  Life long Drummer and Entertainer. 

Name: Jim W.
 
Date: 15 Apr 2000

“The drummer sets the mood for the band. I have seen a lot of bands and this one ranks in the top 5.”                                                           Name: Susan Conroy

“Fantastic performance and fun, the drummer was exceptional!”

Name: Jesse Gooding

".. simply put he's great fun to watch, and his technical skills are unsurpassed that's all you can say...."  - Steve Martello 

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